[ICOM] IC-720 Experts

[Larry Young]

A little plain talk about an old radio. My question is, why would anyone want to spend possibly several hundred dollars to get a 30 year old radio working again. After it is working, one still has a 30 year old radio. For about $500, one can purchase an IC 718, get the same performance, and a much younger radio with a longer life expectancy. I am not trying to sound negative here, just trying to offer a little reality. If by chance one is trying to produce a collection piece or do a restoration, then that is a different matter. My advice is let the emotions go, and try for a newer and better radio that is compatible with what is currently in use on the ham bands.
73, 
Larry K4LXV

--- On Tue, 11/8/11, Stephen Budensiek <kzerosd at gmail.com> wrote:

From: Stephen Budensiek <kzerosd at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [ICOM] IC-720 Experts
To: "ICOM Reflector" <icom at mailman.qth.net>
Date: Tuesday, November 8, 2011, 1:05 PM

Ken,
   A couple problems with old radios (Icom or others), is that the
plugs get very dirty, make poor connection.   You might try going
through the radio, and wiggle all cables off nd back on a few times.
Most the cleaner sprays are useless for this job, physical movement of
them is the best.   Problem 2 is often the electrolytic capacitors dry
out, and loose their value.   This can cause all kinds of havoic.   A
5 volt logic, or 9 receive/transmitc supply is no longer clean dc, but
a high frequency oscillation from 0 to 5 or 9 volts, and the logic and
cpu's go absolutely nuts.   The 720 also had soldier through problems
on the logic board, so it would go nuts and not read the correct
frequency.   Not sure how technical you are, but a simple volt meter
or scope will find these problems.   Been years since I had mine, but
was a nice little radio, got retired from mobile duty when I got a
706Mk2.

Stephen Budensiek

***************************************

On Tue, Nov 8, 2011 at 8:23 AM, Ken Sands <ken.sands at cavtel.net> wrote:
> Hi Bill,
> Tnx fer da reply, The PLL board is tits up as well as the power requlators
> on the main board. I also suspect the RF board of a malady. It turns on
> with "gibberisch" on the display and the "rotary" bandswitch just keeps
> "rollin' along"!!
> Do we know for sure Scott Malcom will work on these?? I have sent him email
> with no reply.
>
> Mercy, "threezonyah" Bill,
>
> Ken K8TFD
>
> On Mon, Nov 7, 2011 at 4:43 PM, D C *Mac* Macdonald <k2gkk at hotmail.com>wrote:
>
>>
>> Thanks for the update, Scott.
>>
>> Sorry for the misspell on your last name. I used
>> the spelling of my brother's first name!
>>
>> * * * * * * * * * * *
>> * 73 - Mac, K2GKK/5 *
>> * (Since 30 Nov 53) *
>> * Oklahoma City, OK *
>> * USAF, Ret (61-81) *
>> * * * * * * * * * * *
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2011 13:31:40 -0800
>> From: mts at toledotel.com
>> To: k2gkk at hotmail.com
>> CC: icom at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: Re: [ICOM] IC-720 Experts
>>
>>
>> HI:
>> Actually trip is the old address, and toledotel is the new one.  :-)
>> Scott Malcom
>> MTS
>> 5130 Jackson Hwy
>> Toledo,  WA  98591
>>
>> www<DOT>angelfire.com/biz2/mts
>> On 11/7/2011 12:56 PM, D C *Mac* Macdonald wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> Scott Malcolm at MTS?
>>
>> mts at trip.net ( I think this is the new eMail address)
>>
>> mts at toledotel.com (Probably the old eMail address)
>>
>> * * * * * * * * * * *
>> * 73 - Mac, K2GKK/5 *
>> * (Since 30 Nov 53) *
>> * Oklahoma City, OK *
>> * USAF, Ret (61-81) *
>> * * * * * * * * * * *
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2011 15:43:11 -0500
>> > From: ken.sands at cavtel.net
>> > To: icom at mailman.qth.net
>> > Subject: [ICOM] IC-720 Experts
>> >
>> > Hey Icom lovers,
>> > Are there any IC-720(no "A") technicians out there?????????
>> > HELP!!
>> >
>> > Ken K8TFD
>> > 734-564-0316 cell
>> > ----
>>
>> ----
>> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC: icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
>> Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
>> Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
>> To support QSL/QTH.net: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>
> ----
> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC: icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
> Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
> Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
> To support QSL/QTH.net: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
----
Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC: icom-owner at mailman.qth.net
Icom Users Net: Sundays, 1700Z, 14.316 MHz
Icom FAQ: http://www.qsl.net/icom/
To support QSL/QTH.net: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html